In Florida, Obama aims to keep up pressure

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Campaigning in Florida, President Barack Obama warned yesterday that Republican challenger Mitt Romney would be "squeezing more money out of seniors" by turning Medicare into a voucher program. Romney, firing away near his Boston home base, accused Obama of putting his needs above those of the nation.

The daily war of words came as polling shows the presidential contest continues to be close nationally, with both men pouring most money and attention into the collection of fewer than 10 states expected to decide the election.

First lady Michelle Obama launched a new effort to rally supporters behind her husband, trying to light a fire by saying the whole race could "come down to just a few votes per precinct in key states."

The president opened two days of campaigning in Florida in search of military veterans, seniors and unaligned voters in the state's crucial midsection. Florida is the largest and most coveted of the nation's Election Day toss-up states, a place where Romney could severely damage Obama's chances of winning re-election.

In Jacksonville, the president broadened his attack on Romney's support for a House Republican plan that would change Medicare from a fee-for-service program into one in which future retirees buy insurance using government subsidies. Republicans argue it would introduce competition and give seniors more choices.

"He plans to turn Medicare into a voucher program," Obama said. "So if that voucher isn't worth enough to buy the health insurance that's on the market, you're out of luck. . . . We shouldn't be squeezing more money out of seniors who are just barely getting by right now."

Romney, in remarks to reporters near Boston, kept the focus on the sluggish economic recovery. He cited new government figures showing that the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose by 34,000 last week, which may have been skewed higher by seasonal factors.